“India must embrace an exponential mindset to lead in global innovation,” says Dr RA Mashelkar
New Delhi, August 29, 2024: “India has the potential to emerge as a global leader in innovation, but it requires an exponential mindset—one that is bold, transformative, and inclusive,” said Dr RA Mashelkar, former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), delivering the 23rd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on Thursday.
23rd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture at TERI celebrates visionary leadership, recognises excellence in service, and reinforces commitment to Sustainable Development
This year's hallmark event at TERI’s headquarters paid tribute to the farsighted Founder, Mr Darbari S Seth, and visionary Dr RK Pachauri through inspiring speeches, heartfelt tributes, and recognition of exceptional service and innovation within the institute.
In his welcome address, Mr Nitin Desai, Chairman of TERI, paid tribute to Mr Seth’s ahead of times thinking, highlighting his pioneering role in establishing TERI and advancing the cause of sustainable development. Reflecting on his days with the Tata Group, Mr Desai recalled his good fortune of interacting with Mr Darbari Seth and recognising his remarkable foresight. “Darbari Seth was more than just a leader; he believed in creating long term solutions instead of addressing issues with immediate answers, which was the very premise on which TERI was conceptualised.” Emphasising on the need to look beyond the country and work on things at a global level, “He foresaw the potential in renewable energy and the importance of the resource not only for India but in the global context has shaped TERI into a globally respected think tank,” he further added.
The highlight of the event was the 23rd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture delivered by Dr RA Mashelkar, former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), on the topic “India as an Exponential Innovator: Vision & Strategy.” Dr Mashelkar in his appreciation for the Institute, said, “TERI in saving the earth is saving the future, which is a service to humanity.” Speaking of Mr Darbari Seth as an ‘Innovator’, he underscored, “He saw what everybody sees, but he did what nobody had. He saw the balance of ecology that would be required and came up with a solution.”
In his thought-provoking address, Dr Mashelkar emphasised the urgent need for India to pole-vault with an exponential innovation approach that should be a combination of rapidity of growth and including the excluded, to drive sustainable growth. “India should develop a mindset of lateral thinking where you can seemingly connect with not so common. The principle of a parachute – working with an open mind is the need of the hour” he stated.
Dr Mashelkar concluded by reaffirming the importance of innovation in achieving global leadership, stating, “The best is yet to come, and today is the day not only for me but for Indian and the society at large,” was his message for the audience with a vision of an exponential India.
The event also featured a ceremony recognizing the dedication of TERI colleagues who have completed 30, 20, and 10 years of service. Mementos were presented to honour their contributions to TERI’s mission of sustainability and innovation.
This was followed by the presentation of the “TERI Roll of Honour” awards, acknowledging individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and achievements in advancing TERI’s values and goals. The recipients were commended for their pioneering spirit and dedication to TERI's mission.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a tribute to the Founders by Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI. Dr Dhawan expressed her gratitude to Mr Seth’s family present on the occasion and extended her gratefulness to Dr Pachauri’s family who had joined virtually. She thanked the colleagues who had contributed to the growth of TERI over the years.
Dr Dhawan particularly expressed her thankfulness to Dr Mashelkar for his inspiring lecture and acknowledged that each word from his lecture had a message. In her tribute to Mr Seth for looking forward into the energy solutions required for the country, and to Dr Pachauri for being a visionary on climate change and sustainable development, she said, “We salute our Founders as they thought of what problems the world is going to face in future.” “Let us promise to maintain the tradition that we have to think ahead of time,” Dr Dhawan affirmed.
The 23rd Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture once again underscored TERI’s enduring commitment to sustainability and innovation, as it continues to draw inspiration from the vision of its Founder, while charting a path towards a more sustainable and innovative future for India and the world.